Truss plate-fastener



Dec. 20, 1966 Y Q R COUCH TRUSS PLATE-FASTENER Filed Feb. 5, 1964 INVENTOR.

,v Y um M w J R U f, 0 77 w m R. E w Y DD 4 2% United; States NParent O 3,292,481 TRUSS PLA'I'E-FASTENER Ciaude R. Couch, 2414 Newland St., Edgewater, Colo. 80214 Filed Feb. 3, 1964, Ser. No. 342,187 4 Claims. (Cl. 85-13) The present invention relates to truss plates of the type used in the fabrication of wood trusses for home building and commercial use. Specifically, the invention relates to a new combination of gusset plate and fastener element particularly adapted for efiicient use in connection with such wood truss fabrication. The invention is in part related to a prior disclosure embodied in application Serial No. 264,188, led March l1, 1963, now Patent No. 3,225,643, patented December 28, 1965.

As set forth in the previous application, it is recognized that considerable development has recently occurred in the general field of truss plate design for use with wood structural members. In general, it has been a main object of such previous disclosures to develop a greater percentage of the inherent strength of wood framing members by providing more efficient fastener elements.

A companion objective has been to provide eicient fastener elements that may be used together with metal plate members at connection points of maximum stress and strain so that the tensile :and compressive strength of the plate can be used to supplement the strength of the wood members.

In providing solutions for the foregoing overall objectives, previous inventors have provided systems in which the gusset plates and fastener elements are either separate elements or where the fastener and plate are an integral formed structure as in the previous mentioned application. The present invention is directed to a system in which the plate and the fastener elements are separate pieces but in which such pieces are cooperatively formed to provide a unitary and beneficial result.

Accordingly, specific objectives of the present invention include the provision of a fastener and plate combination which will provide increased holding power when applied to wood frame structures.

A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a punched plate element and a formed staple that may be used conjointly to obtain increased holding power and strength for joined wood structures.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination gusset plate and fastener element system in which components or the plate are designed to guide and control the eflicient directional application of the fastener.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a plate and fastener combination that may be economically and efiiciently applied in the fabrication of wood truss systems.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fastener and plate system that will develop increased holding power as necessary to insure full utilization of the inherent strength characteristics of wood structural members.

As in the previous disclosure, it is a specific object of this invention to provide fastener members that will bend and deform as they are applied to Wood members to develop an increased fastener holding power.

A further compansion objective of the present invention is the provision of fastener members which are of novel design incorporating split shank and shaped contact faces to provide directional drive and bending characteristics for said fastener.

An object of the combined plate and fastener system herein presented is to provide a truss plate having components which beneficially engage, guide, strengthen and control the fastener element at the ,time of application.

Patented Dec. 20, .1966

A further object of this invention is the provision of a fastener incorporating seperate shank elements and cooperating guide face-s for controlling the diverging movement characteristics of such fastener and its split shank elements.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent after reference to the accompanyin g drawings and figures, in which FIG. 1 is an elevation illustrating the type of truss system which may be economically fabricated through use of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a truss plate made in accordance with this invention and illustrating a preferred disposition of fastener receptacles,

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the truss plate illustrated in FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevation taken along the l-ine 4 4 yof FIG. 2 showing nther details of punched openings in such truss plate and further showing a fastener element at an intermediate application step,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing details of the fastener element,

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional elevation in partial section and in partially hidden outline showing a bending pattern for an applied fastener in a wood block, and

FIG. 7 is an end cross-sectional elevation in partial sec-- tion and in partially hidden outline further showing details of the bent pattern of a fastener applied to a wood block.

Brieiiy stated, the present invention provides a truss plate and fastener combination in which the plate and fastener are cooperatively formed for etiicient conjoint use. The fastener element is essentially a staple fastener formed from fiat metal stock to provide a plurality of spaced apart `split Shanks. Such split Shanks are of a formed shape to provide increased strength and rigidity at the time of fastener application. The separate tines of the split Shanks are further provided with tapered end surfaces cooperatively positioned to encourage a divergent and patterned bending for such tines as the fastener element is applied to wood truss members. The truss plate element and the struck openings therein are beneficially formed to cooperate with the formed surfaces of the fastener when the fastener is being applied and after full application. The guide surfaces formed in the plate punching operations beneficially restrict the divergent movement pattern of the staple Vshanks until suflicient depth of penetration has been attained to assure an increased holding power. This guide function further strengthens the staple to avoid bending or other mis-vr application. When fully applied, the fastener and plate further cooperate to efiiciently transfer and distribute imposed forces.

Specific advantages of the present invention will be ap parent from detailed study of the accompanying drawings. The fastener element 14 is best illustrated in FIG. 5. Here it will be seen that the fastener 14 is of a staple type providing a substantially fiat back 16 and a pair of shanks 17 and 18 formed unitarily with the back 16 from a single sheet of fiat metal stock. The `Shanks 17 and 18 are of an inwardly curved concave configuration, and the bend lines 19 defining the limits of the respective back and shank elements is of a corresponding curved shape derived by the die form stretching of the initially fiat metal stock. The inwardly concave conv formation for the Shanks 17 and 18 and the curved bend angle is provided to attain increased strength tending to resist movement of the shanks away from their dependprovide slots 21 dividing the shanks 17 and 18 into separate tines 23 and 24. In the present embodiment the divided portion of the shanks 17 and 18extends approximately one-half to two-thirds of the total length of `the shanks. The tines are further provided with tapered end faces 26 preferably disposed in divergent pattern so that the tines 23 and 24 will tend to bend and separate as the shanks 17 and 18 Vare driven into the wood structure.

The split shank and divergent ends configuration of the present fastener is similar to the construction for each of the fastener elements shown in the mentioned earlier application. In general, the purpose and function of such split shanks is directly related to that described in such previous application. A further and highly beneficial result, however, is obtained in connection with the present invention inasmuch as the curved contours, cut slots and divergent giude faces of the present split shank fastener construction are all mutually cooperative With features of the associated trusspplate to assure the controlled and efficient application of such fastener elements. Specific features of the truss plate construction are shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. In the top view, FIG. 2, it will be noted that an initially flat plate sheetfof metal has been punched and die cut to provide a plurality of crescent shaped openings 27 'in the surface of such plate 28. The crescent openings 27 are disposed ina regulated pattern of pairs. Two of such openings in paired relation conjointly provide a receptacle 29 adapted to receive the spaced apart and cooperatively curved separate tines 17 .and 18 of a fastener 14. One such fastener 14 is shown applied to the plate 28 of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. The receptacle pairs 29 are themselves disposed in regulated and ordered arrangement.

` In general, it has been found advantageous to align such receptacles in row pattern with the staple receptacles 29 in adjacent rows being in staggered relation each to each` This type `of patterned placement has been derived to obtain maximum holding power in wood structural elements without significant increase in the danger of failure due to the splitting of wood. Use and tests of the present devices has indicated that such staggered placement pattern develops full holding power without undue loss of wood strength due to splitting of the wood.

The staggered placement of receptacles and fasteners is of further benefit in connection with the present invention. Use of the combination fasteners and plates has shown that it is possible to make several different type connections between wood truss members with a single style of plate 28. By simply leaving out one or two ofthe fasteners 14, it is possible to obtain an ecient joining of wood truss members even though the respective angles of intersection between such wood members are quite different as illustrated in FIG. 1. In general, the fasteners will be inserted only in receptacles that are positioned away from the ends or edges of the wood structural members. With such placement a secure and strong connection is obtained.

The secure holding power of the fasteners themselves permits the eicient transfer of tensile and compressive forces from one truss member to another through operation of the plates 28. The plates themselves further provide additional strength to a truss system since the greater strength of the metal is applied and used to resist the concentrated stress and strain at such points of joinder.

Actual tests of the present combination have indicated that truss systems using such combinations are able to withstand increased test loadings when compared to the fastener-plate system as disclosed in the earlier application. vThe advantages inherent in the present combination is believed to be primarily due to the cooperative interaction of the plate openings 27 and the fastener tines 23 and 24. In the fastener elements of the prior disclosure, it was noted that the split Shanks had a tendency to start their diverging movement close to t'he top surface of the wood member to which the fastener was applied. This initial divergence of the fastener tines sometimes caused the opening of a passage through the wood that was of larger size adjacent the top surface than necessary for the simple passage of the metal fastener Shanks.

An improved result is possible when the fasteners 14 of t-he present invention are applied through the openings 27 of plates 28, since it is noted that the end and side surfaces of such openings closely engage the ends and the curved side surfaces of the fastener shanks 17 and 18. This close engagement of cooperative surfaces holds the shanks and their respective tines properly aligned for direct penetration of the wood.4 The close engagement between such elements, in fact, tends to prevent the diverging movement of the separate tines until the wood has been penetrated to a depth corresponding to the depth of the slots 21. This approximate depth for straight penetration of the tine elements is illustrated in FIG. 4. Additional inward movementof the fastener 14 `with respect to the wood structural member permits free, inde.-`

24 develops an increased holding power for the fasteners in such wood element.

This increased holding power essentially prevents the withdrawal of the fastener 14, and, accordingly, the plates 28 are held in secure engagement against the external wood surface. Since the secure and stress-resistant close engagement of truss plate and trussmember is of primary importance in truss design, the present system satisfies the stated objectives in a more efficient and practical manner than that previously obtainable.`

A further benefit has also been noted, inasmuch as the thickness of meta-l components can be reduced when the present combination is used. The previous fastener-plate combination required the use of 18 gauge material for the proper interengagement of fasteners and Douglas r wood truss members. Superior results are obtained with the present system where the plates and fasteners are formed of 20 gauge material. For wood having the density and texture of r, fasteners 14 made of 20 gauge galvanized stock may be efficiently driven, and it is noted that the tine bending pattern provides the desired fastener holding power. For other types of wood and for varied requirements regarding the desired depth of penetration or tine divergence the fasteners may be made of different thickness material or may be provided with different length shanks or tine slots and variously disposed guide faces.

All such modifications and changes as are suggested by the foregoing disclosure are considered to be a part of this invention insofar as such modifications and changes are within the scope of the hereunto appended claims.

I claim:

1. A combination truss plate and fastener for use in the fabrication of wood building trusses and framing comprising fasteners formed nnitarily of flat metal stock to provide a flat back, separate shanks in normal relation` the lateral outer edges of said shanks and tines whereby said tines are constrained by said end surfaces for directed penetration ofthe wood members when the plate and fasteners are applied.

2. A combination truss plate and fastener for use in the fabrication of Wood building trusses and framing comprising fasteners formed unitarily of flat metal stock` to provide a Hat back, separate shanks in normal relation to said back and slots dividing said Shanks through a por# tion of their height into separate tines, divergent end faces on the terminal end of said tines, and a at metal truss plate having a plurality of openings punched therein receiving the separate shanks of said fasteners, saidl openings further providing end surfaces for closely engaging the lateral Outer edges of said Shanks and tines whereby divergent movement of said tines due to said divergent end faces is constrained by said end surfaces for improved penetration of the wood members as the fasteners are applied to said plate and Wood members.

3. A combination truss plate and fastener for use in the fabrication of Wood building trusses and framing comprising staple type fasteners formed unitarily of at metal stock to provide a at back, separate shanks in normal relation to said back, said Shanks being formed to have an inwardly directed concave curvature on the inner faces, slots dividing said shanks through a portion of their height into separate tines, inclined faces on the terminal ends of said tines, and a flat metal truss plate having a plurality of curved openings punched therein receiving and engaging the separate Shanks of said fasteners, said openings further providing end surfaces for closely engaging the lateral outer edges of said VShanks and tines whereby said tines are constrained by said end surfaces for directed penetration of the wood members when the plate and fasteners are applied.

4. A combination truss plate and fastener for use in the fabrication of wood building trusses and framing comprising staple type fasteners formed unitarily of flat metal stock to provide a at back, separate Shanks formed unitarily with said at back and disposed in normal relation thereto, said shanks being formed to have an inwardly directed concave curvature on the inner faces thereof with a corresponding curved bend line at the angle between said Shanks and at back to provide increased stiifness, slots dividing the free ends of said Shanks and along approximately half the height thereof into separate tines, divergent end faces on the terminal ends of said tines disposed for engagement with wood members and for cooperative action therewith to cause a bending of said tines, and a at metal truss plate having a plurality of concavely curved openings punched therein with said openings disposed in a pattern of pair receiving and closely engaging the separate Shanks of said fasteners, said openings further providing end surfaces closely engaging the lateral outer edges of said Shanks and tines whereby divergent movement of said tines due to said divergent end faces is constrained by said end surfaces to prevent excessive divergent movement of said tines until the wood members have been penetrated to a depth corresponding to the height of said slots.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,586,370 5/1926 Lange 217-70 2,433,914 1/1948 Lang 85-17 2,551,970 5/1951 Sampson 85-49 X 3,003,386 10/ 1961 Snyder 85--13 RICHARD W. COOKE, JR., Primary Examiner.

JACOB L. NACKENOFF, FRANK L. ABBOTT,

Examiners.

K. E. PAYNE, L. R. RADANOVIC, Assistant Examiners. 

1. A COMBINATION TRUSS PLATE AND FASTENER FOR USE IN THE FABRICATION OF WOOD BUILDING TRUSSES AND FRAMING COMPRISING FASTENERS FORMED UNITARILY OF FLAT METAL STOCK TO PROVIDE A FLAT BACK, SEPARATE SHANKS IN NORMAL RELATION TO SAID BACK AND SLOTS DIVIDING SAID SHANKS THROUGH A PORTION OF THEIR HEIGHT INTO SEPARATE TINES, INCLINED FACES ON THE TERMINAL ENDS OF SAID TINES, AND A FLAT METAL TRUSS PLATE HAVING A PLURALITY OF OPENINGS PUNCHED THEREIN AND RECEIVING THE SEPARATE SHANKS OF SAID FASTENERS, SAID OPENINGS FURTHER PROVIDING END SURFACES FOR CLOSELY ENGAGING THE LATERAL OUTER EDGES OF SAID SHANKS AND TINES WHEREBY SAID TINES ARE CONSTRAINED BY SAID END SURFACES FOR DIRECTED PENETRATION OF THE WOOD MEMBERS WHEN THE PLATE AND FASTENERS ARE APPLIED. 